Josh Garofalo MKT 353

This week, I learned a lot about how Google Ads work, especially how important it is to have your keywords, ad copy, and landing pages all aligned. Before this, I thought Quality Score was just another performance metric, but now I understand it’s more of a tool to help you figure out what to fix. I didn’t realize how much things like ad relevance and expected clickthrough rate could affect how well your ad performs, even if your budget is solid. One thing that really stood out was how small tweaks, like changing a headline to match the exact keyword or improving how fast your landing page loads, can make a big difference. I can see how this applies directly to running a successful online business. If your ads don’t feel relevant or your site doesn’t deliver what people expect, they’re just going to click off the site. It’s all about creating a smooth and helpful experience for the user.

This week, I learned how important it is to follow Google Ads policies and create ad content that’s both clear and compliant. At first, I didn’t realize how strict some of the guidelines are, but after reading through them, it made sense; they’re there to protect users and maintain trust. I reviewed my ad for Mana Mats and made small but meaningful changes, like avoiding exaggerated claims and making sure everything I say accurately reflects what I offer. I also learned about keyword insertion and how including search-relevant terms in your headlines or descriptions can make your ads more effective. Even though I didn’t use dynamic keyword insertion yet, I made sure to rewrite my ad in a way that includes common search phrases like “custom MTG playmats.” This not only improves visibility but also increases the chances of reaching the right audience. Overall, I feel more confident in setting up compliant, effective Google Ads.

One of the biggest takeaways I learned from this week's activities was how critical keyword research is for driving traffic through tools like Google Ads. It’s not just about describing your product; it’s about understanding how people search and aligning your ads with their intent. I learned that using a mix of broad, phrase, and exact match keywords can help attract both general interest and high-intent buyers. Another insight was how ad settings like location, devices, and budget play a role in campaign success. For example, limiting ads to the U.S. makes sense for a business like mine, Mana Mats, because it keeps shipping simple. Choosing automated bidding also seems smart when you’re still learning. Overall, I’ve realized that behind every strong product is a strong strategy, and this week helped me start building that foundation for my business.

Over the past couple of weeks, Mana Mats has made solid progress with our website. We’ve refined our Squarespace page and crafted product descriptions that resonate with both casual and competitive Magic: The Gathering (MTG) players. Behind the scenes, we researched Idaho business licenses, permits, and sales tax to make sure we’re starting off right. We also began planning our email marketing strategy, learning how to segment our audience and write emails that connect. As we've finished up the page, we have already seen a huge amount of success with over 300 page views and one order!

Over the past week, we’ve looked at different site builders and ecommerce platforms, and it’s given me a better understanding of what actually matters when launching a site. I’ve already started building my Squarespace site for Mana Mats, and it’s been helpful to apply what we’ve discussed. Things like choosing the right layout, making sure the shopping cart is easy to find, and showing clear product descriptions with good visuals. Working through this in real time has shown me how important user experience is, especially when selling products online. It’s also made me more aware of things like how to handle payments, sales tax, and shipping options. I’m realizing that an e-commerce site isn’t just about having a cool design; it has to actually work for the customer. I’m excited to keep improving the site as I learn more throughout the class.

This week helped me see how much one's choice of website builder can impact your business long term. I had used some site builders before, but hadn’t really thought much about the differences between them until now. Comparing platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, and WordPress showed me how important it is to consider things like ease of use, customization, and cost, not just what looks good at first glance or what's cheapest. I also learned that building a successful online business isn’t just about getting a site live. It’s about making sure your site is functional, reliable, and built with tools that help you grow. Analytics, templates, and bandwidth all matter more than I expected. This week’s assignments helped me take a step back and think about how I’d actually run something long-term, not just launch it. There’s a lot more to this than I thought, but I’m excited to keep learning.